I’ve just had a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) — is treatment recommended?

Traditional massage techniques are contraindicated for Whiplash for 72 hours post accident. This is because the body goes into a guarding mode to protect the body from further damage. Though a Massage Therapist may have the best of intentions to help you, it may compromise you and your injury if this timeline is not respected.

Having said that, light touch or energetic techniques (like CranioSacral Therapy and BodyTalk Energy Medicine) are usually ideal on a case by case basis.

FYI – In Alberta it is imperative that you are seen by a Physician, Chiropractor or Physiotherapist to be assessed in order to qualify for Section B Insurance Benefits. Since the onset of tension and/or swelling may take a couple of days, I always recommend that clients take the precaution of being seen “just in case”.

 

How do Section B Benefits work with an MVA claim?

Once a claim has been made you will receive contact information from your Auto Insurance Provider.  Bring the following information with you to your first appointment following your MVA:

• Your Insurance company’s name, Adjuster’s name, telephone number, and email address
• The date of your MVA
• Your claim number

As the claimant, you are eligible to receive 100% Direct Billing coverage for up to 21 treatments total between a variety of alternative medicine modalities (such as Therapeutic Massage, Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, etc).  It is important that you keep track of your sessions as it is all elible sessions are tabulated together.  Should you still require more treatment once your 21 sessions have been claimed, there is a possiblity of extended coverage on a case by case basis.

Though you will have the guidance of the practitioners that you trust with your care, ultimately the way you spend your 21 sessions is up to you.  Spend them wisely!